Dementia Care Queensland

A free guide for Queenslanders

Parkinson's in Queensland: where to start

For people who are newly diagnosed or still having tests, and the families supporting them. Who to call, where to search, and how to get to the right people near you.

Last checked: 9 November 2026

Download the printable guide (PDF)Talk to us · 0439 143 082

Keep these three numbers handy

Your first five steps

  1. Book a long appointment with your GP.

    Ask about a GP chronic condition management plan (opens in a new tab). It gives you up to 5 Medicare subsidised allied health visits each calendar year (10 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), such as physio, speech pathology and exercise physiology.

  2. Get a referral to a neurologist.

    Ideally one with an interest in movement disorders. You can go public or private.

  3. Build your therapy team.

    A physio, speech pathologist, occupational therapist and exercise physiologist who know Parkinson's can make a real difference to how you move, talk and live day to day.

  4. Connect with other people living with Parkinson's.

    Parkinson's Queensland runs support groups (opens in a new tab) across the state and an online group. Membership (opens in a new tab) starts from $5. Parkinson's Australia also has resources for people with young onset Parkinson's (opens in a new tab).

  5. Sort out funding and help at home early.

    The NDIS if you are under 65, My Aged Care if you are 65 or older, and Carer Gateway for the people supporting you.

Before every appointment

Bring a list of your medicines and the times you take them, the symptoms you have noticed (including good and bad times of day), and your questions. Take someone with you if you can. Ask the specialist to send letters to your GP.

Seeing a specialist

You need a referral from your GP to see a neurologist, whether you go public or private. Ask for a neurologist with an interest in movement disorders, which is the area that covers Parkinson's.

  • Public: No cost to see the specialist

    Your GP refers you to a public hospital neurology outpatient clinic. Under Queensland Health's referral guidelines, known or suspected Parkinson's is usually Category 2, which means ideally being seen within 90 days. A sudden or severe decline can be Category 1 (30 days).

    Tip: for tremor, Queensland Health asks for a recent thyroid blood test (TSH) with the referral, so ask your GP to include it or the referral can be sent back.

  • Private: Usually seen sooner, fees vary

    Your GP refers you to a private neurologist. Medicare pays part of the fee. Ask the rooms about costs and wait times when you book.

    To find one near you, search "Neurology" and your suburb on the healthdirect Service Finder (opens in a new tab). Your GP and Parkinson's Queensland can also suggest neurologists with a Parkinson's interest.

Public movement disorders services in Queensland

  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

    What is there
    Movement Disorders Clinic for Parkinson's, atypical parkinsonism, dystonia and tremor, including advanced therapies

  • Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba

    What is there
    Movement Disorders Team (Metro South)

  • Gold Coast University Hospital

    What is there
    Neurology outpatients, accepts Parkinson's and movement disorder referrals

  • Townsville University Hospital

    What is there
    Medical clinics, including neurology

  • Mater Hospital Brisbane

    What is there
    Public neurology for people in the Metro South and West Moreton (Ipswich) areas
    Phone
    Via your GP

  • Everywhere else

    What is there
    Your GP refers you to the public neurology clinic that covers your area. Ask which one when you get the referral.
    Phone
    Via your GP

  • Check the wait before you choose

    Queensland Health publishes how long people wait for specialist appointments at each hospital, by category. performance.health.qld.gov.au (opens in a new tab)

  • See the specialist by video

    Medicare covers specialist video appointments, first visits and follow ups, with a valid referral. Public clinics can also see you by video: ask when you book. If your internet is poor, you can do the call from your nearest hospital. Help joining a Queensland Health video appointment (opens in a new tab): 1800 066 888.

  • Live in the regions? Help with travel costs

    If you are referred to a specialist service more than 50 km (one way) from the public hospital or health facility closest to your home, the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (opens in a new tab) can help with travel and accommodation costs. A carer can be approved to travel with you if you have a physical or cognitive impairment or trouble getting around. Apply before you travel where you can, and claim within 12 months. Or call 13 HEALTH.

Building your therapy team

Each professional body has its own online search. Use the tips below to find people with neurological or Parkinson's experience, close to home or by telehealth.

  • Parkinson's specific programs

    LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG are voice and movement programs built for Parkinson's. Find a certified clinician on LSVT Global (opens in a new tab) (LSVT eLOUD runs by telehealth). PD Warrior (opens in a new tab) exercise programs run in Queensland at New Farm, Tarragindi, Hyde Park, Cooroy, Nambour, Toowoomba, Atherton, Cairns and Bongaree, plus online.

  • Through Parkinson's Queensland

    Activities (opens in a new tab) include Dance for Parkinson's with Queensland Ballet (West End), the New Voice Choir (Moorooka), PD Punch boxing (Townsville), PingPongParkinson (Toowoomba) and online Pilates. Parkinson's Queensland also keeps a map of health professionals. Call the office to ask about people near you.

Ask before you book: "How many people with Parkinson's do you see?" and "Do you offer home visits or telehealth?" Most directories do not check each listing, so a quick call saves time.

Paying for therapy: a GP chronic condition management plan (Medicare), private health insurance extras, the NDIS if you are under 65, or aged care support if you are 65 or older.

Funding and help at home

The right door depends mostly on your age when you apply. It is worth starting early, before things get harder.

  • Under 65: The NDIS

    To apply, a person generally needs to be under 65, live in Australia, be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category Visa holder, and have a permanent impairment that substantially reduces their ability to manage everyday activities. People who join before 65 can stay in the NDIS after 65.

    Reports from the neurologist, GP and therapists all help. Describe good days, hard days and what happens when medicines wear off.

    NDIS (opens in a new tab): 1800 800 110, Mon to Fri, 8am to 8pm.

    Local Area Coordinators in Queensland include Carers Queensland (Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Toowoomba), Feros Care (Mackay, Townsville) and Mission Australia (Cairns). The NDIS can confirm yours.

    Read our NDIS and dementia guide

  • 65 or older: My Aged Care

    My Aged Care arranges an assessment for help at home, such as cleaning, personal care, nursing, allied health and equipment, and for respite and residential care.

    My Aged Care (opens in a new tab): 1800 200 422, Mon to Fri, 8am to 8pm, and Sat, 10am to 2pm.

    Need someone in your corner? The Older Persons Advocacy Network (opens in a new tab) gives free, independent aged care advocacy: 1800 700 600. In Queensland this is delivered by ADA Australia.

Driving. In Queensland you must tell the Department of Transport and Main Roads (opens in a new tab) about a permanent or long term medical condition that is likely to affect safe driving. Your doctor can advise you.

Phone numbers that help

If thinking or memory starts to change

Not everyone with Parkinson's develops changes in thinking. When it does happen, it usually comes on slowly, and getting help early makes planning much easier.

  • Things worth mentioning to the doctor

    • thinking feels slower, or planning and doing two things at once gets harder
    • losing track in conversations
    • alertness that changes a lot through the day
    • seeing people or animals that are not there
    • acting out dreams in sleep, or sleeping a lot during the day
    • new anxiety, low mood or loss of interest

  • What you can do

    • tell the GP or neurologist, and ask whether a cognitive assessment (for example with a neuropsychologist) would help
    • ask for a review of your medicines (never stop or change a Parkinson's medicine without medical advice)
    • call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500
    • start legal and financial planning early, while decisions are easier to make together

Read about Parkinson's disease dementia

Under 65 and not sure where to start with the NDIS?

We help families with NDIS access at no charge, whoever they go on to choose as a provider. Every referral is answered the same business day.

Call Anish on 0439 143 082Make a referral

Parkinson's Queensland team: with the person's OK, email their name and number to anish@dementiacareqld.com.au and we'll call them back.

Questions

Phone numbers, opening hours and links were checked against each organisation's own website on 9 November 2026. Services change, so call ahead. Dementia Care Queensland is not affiliated with the organisations listed and receives nothing for listing them. This page is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own health or care, talk to your GP or specialist.